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Exploring Stop Motion Animation: A Guide for Lawrence Students

What is Stop Motion Animation?

Stop motion animation is a filmmaking technique where objects are physically manipulated in small increments between individually photographed frames. When the sequence of images is played back quickly, it creates the illusion of movement. This method can bring anything from clay figures to everyday objects to life on the screen.

How is Stop Motion Animation Made?

Creating stop motion animation is a meticulous process that involves several key steps:

  1. Storyboarding and Planning: Just like any film, a stop motion project begins with a storyboard. This outlines the plot, scenes, and key actions.
  2. Building Models and Sets: Animators create or choose objects, characters, and backgrounds. These can be made from clay, paper, puppets, or even LEGO bricks.
  3. Animating: The objects are placed on the set, and a picture is taken. The animator then moves the object slightly and takes another picture. This process is repeated many times. Each tiny movement is one frame of the film.
  4. Photography: High-quality cameras are used to capture each frame. Consistent lighting is crucial to keep the visual appearance steady.
  5. Editing and Post-Production: Once all frames are captured, they are compiled and edited to smooth out the motion and add any special effects or sound.

Skills Needed for Stop Motion Animation

Stop motion animation requires a blend of artistic and technical skills:

  • Patience and Attention to Detail: The process is time-consuming and requires precision.
  • Creativity: Developing characters and stories requires a vivid imagination.
  • Technical Skills: Knowledge of cameras, lighting, and editing software is essential.
  • Manual Dexterity: Fine motor skills are needed to manipulate objects delicately.

Employers of Stop Motion Animators

Stop motion animators are hired by various employers, including:

  • Film Studios: Companies like Laika and Aardman Animations specialize in stop motion films.
  • Television Studios: Networks produce stop motion TV shows and commercials.
  • Advertising Agencies: Advertisers use stop motion for unique and eye-catching ads.
  • Video Game Companies: Some video games incorporate stop motion elements.

Examples of Stop Motion Animation

A well-known example of a stop motion film is Coraline (2009), produced by Laika. The film tells the story of a young girl who discovers a secret door to an alternate reality. Other famous stop motion films are Tim Burton’s The Nightmare Before Christmas (1993) and the Aardman Animations / DreamWorks film Chicken Run (2000).

Starting a Career in Stop Motion Animation

Stop motion animators can start their careers in a variety of ways, and both freelancing and studio employment are common paths. Here’s a closer look at each option:

Freelancing

Advantages:

  • Flexibility: Freelancers can choose their projects and work schedules.
  • Diverse Experience: Working on various projects can build a broad skill set.
  • Creative Control: Freelancers often have more creative freedom.

Challenges:

  • Unstable Income: Freelance work can be inconsistent, making financial stability a challenge.
  • Self-Promotion: Finding clients and marketing oneself requires time and effort.
  • Lack of Resources: Freelancers may need to invest in their own equipment and software.

How to Start:

  1. Build a Portfolio: Create and showcase your work through a personal website or platforms like Vimeo and YouTube.
  2. Network: Connect with other animators and potential clients through industry events and online communities.
  3. Freelance Platforms: Use websites like Upwork, Freelancer, and Fiverr to find freelance gigs.

Studio Employment

Advantages:

  • Steady Income: Studios typically offer more stable employment with regular paychecks.
  • Resources and Equipment: Studios provide access to high-quality equipment and facilities.
  • Collaboration: Working with a team can lead to valuable learning experiences and creative collaboration.

Challenges:

  • Less Creative Freedom: Projects may be directed by studio requirements and client needs.
  • Work Hours: Studio jobs may require long or irregular hours, especially close to deadlines.

How to Start:

  1. Education and Training: Many studios prefer candidates with formal education in film or animation programs that offer courses in stop motion.
  2. Internships: Gain experience and make industry connections through internships at animation studios.
  3. Entry-Level Positions: Look for entry-level roles like animation assistant, model maker, or production assistant to get your foot in the door.

Career Outlook and Salary

The demand for animators, including stop motion animators, is expected to grow. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median pay for special effects artists and animators was about $99,000 per year as of 2023. However, salaries can vary widely based on experience, location, and the type of employer.

Further Information

For more information on stop motion animation, check out these resources:

Embarking on a career in stop motion animation can be both challenging and rewarding. With dedication, creativity, and the right skills, you can bring your imaginative worlds to life.

Creating and Pitching Television Shows, Movies, and Video Games

Television, movies, video games, and even web series are all things we consume at least somewhat frequently, and the entertainment industry is rapidly growing and looking for new ideas (This current deficit of new, fresh ideas is at least one reason they’ve been remaking so many movies that were already fine to begin with). If you feel like you want to make a show or a movie and have an idea that you think should be out there, chances are that others would absolutely agree. This article is dedicated to explaining the basics of what you will need to get started, and a groundwork for where to go next.

The most important part of creating a show is its pitch, specifically presenting it quickly while covering the most notable parts of your idea, called an “elevator pitch.” Elevator pitches are quick, abbreviated editions of the concept itself- so quick, you should be able to pitch it to an executive in an elevator ride. For example, Breaking Bad’s elevator pitch was famously “Mr. Chips becomes Scarface,” quickly describing how a high school teacher turns into a drug lord, which was so bold, Sony executives picked it up. When you get straight to the point of an elevator pitch, you jog the cogs in someone’s brain and they become curious if there is more, which helps you move on to the next part: the pitch meeting and the bible.

Following the elevator pitch comes the pitch meeting, where those interested in making a show or movie must talk to executives. You should create a bible, or a book/binder full of different ideas for the show or movie and bring a copy to the meeting to show executives. Spongebob Squarepants’ pitch was more of an experience than a regular pitch because the creator, Stephen Hillenburg, really put his all into his pitch. He and the creative director, Derek Drymon, showed off a tiny diorama of Bikini Bottom in an aquarium tank with tiny versions of the characters in it, wheeled it into the room, and blasted Hawaiian music both wearing Hawaiian shirts, truly making the pitch their own. They told their plans for the characters and ran down the pilot with executives. It was so good, the executives wished they had it on tape. So, the best thing to do in a pitch is make it your own and have fun, because if you have fun making it, executives will have fun watching it, and they will be more inclined to pick you up. You can read through the Spongebob Squarepants show bible here! There is no right or wrong way to do a pitch, but here is a good template for how you could structure your own pitch meeting. Feel free to build off it!

The best thing about the entertainment industry is that you do not need a degree from a big school, or even in any specific program (film studies, animation, English/creative writing, computer science, etc.). For example, Lawrence alum Josh Sawyer majored in history here and participated in theater and was able to become a design director at Obsidian Entertainment and has used his love of history to create one of the best-regarded games of 2022, and one of Obsidian’s best: Pentiment. Sawyer found early on he did not want to pursue a career with his history major and used his tinkering in web design and animation to jump into the world of video game development and directed Fallout: New Vegas and the Pillars of Eternity duology.

If your pitch does not get picked up at first, know that it is completely okay! Even the greatest creators have struggled to land a place with a publisher or network. But even if it is discouraging to have your idea turned down, it is important not to give up. There are plenty more people who will be willing to give you a chance. The industry can be for anyone (including Lawrentians), and if you have any interest, the worst thing you can do is not try to get involved.

WORKS CITED:

https://www.slashfilm.com/963967/why-so-many-networks-turned-down-breaking-bad/

https://careerdevelopment.princeton.edu/sites/g/files/toruqf1041/files/media/elevator_pitch.pdf

https://www.lawrence.edu/articles/lawrence-expertise-helps-fuel-pentiment-video-game

https://www.todayifoundout.com/index.php/2015/12/spongebob-squarepants-made-air/

Spencer R. Brown is a junior in their first year at Lawrence University, with a major in Government. They work as a media and marketing assistant in the Career Center, and curates articles for students in both Communication, Journalism & Written Arts (#CJW) and Government, Law & International Relations (#GLI) career communities. A writer and animator by trade and part-time mascot, Spencer is fascinated in finding ways to make digesting information entertaining. Feel free to connect with them on LinkedIn here!